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PREACHING THAT CHANGES LIVES Part 1 By Ralph Sutera There certainly is no lack of preaching, but there seems to be a deficit in changed lives. Here are many professions, but one must question how much real spiritual possession. Even great pastors question how many in their congregations are genuinely a part of God's family. Could it be that we should look at modern preaching as a possible cause? WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE ESSENTIAL IN PREACHING THAT CHANGES LIVES? 1. Deal with "root" issues rather than merely "managing branches" The sermon often suggests we merely need God to help us improve our lives rather than getting to the root of the problem. Women often return from retreats more discouraged after hearing about God's Proverbs 31 ideal woman. Men are often the same hearing what God expects of men and fathers. Some preaching sets forth God's standards in a way to produce more guilt if the solution is not clear. Preaching must make it clear and cause people to grasp their total inability to measure up to God's standard in the flesh! Only as we deal with the root problem in surrendering the rights of self with all of its attempts to live the Christian life at the Cross can believers be led into a life-style of spiritual victory. It is only then that believes can be filled with the Holy Spirit Who can live the life of Christ through them. The absolute necessity of walking in the Spirit is what makes it possible to be the kind of men and women God longs for us to be. Only as believers deal with those things that keep them from walking in the Spirit can they anticipate changed lives. Could it be that so much preaching bypasses this truth and ends up producing a "do-it-yourself" kind of Christian experience with believers seeking to improve themselves in the sight of God. Therefore, can it be said that preachers need to become "roto-rooters" rather than "branch managers" in their preaching?

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